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Perceived criticism and family attitudes as predictors of recurrence in bipolar disorder. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN EUROPE 2022; 4:e4617. [DOI: 10.32872/cpe.4617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a highly recurrent psychiatric condition. While combined pharmacological and psychosocial treatments improve outcomes, not much is known about potential moderators that could affect these treatments. One potential moderator might be the quality of interpersonal relations in families, for example, familial attitudes and perceived criticism.
Method
To explore this question we conducted a post-hoc analysis that used an existing data set from a previous study by our group that compared cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and supporting therapy (ST) in remitted BD. In the present study, we used Cox proportional hazard models.
Results
We found that the relatives’ ratings of criticism predicted the likelihood of depressive recurrences, especially in the ST condition. The patients’ ratings of negative familial attitudes predicted the risk of recurrences in general, irrespective of the therapy condition.
Conclusion
These results suggest that it might be important to assess perceived criticism and familial attitudes as potential moderators of treatment outcome in BD.
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Dalby RB, Eskildsen SF, Videbech P, Rosenberg R, Østergaard L. Cerebral hemodynamics and capillary dysfunction in late-onset major depressive disorder. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2021; 317:111383. [PMID: 34508953 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In major depressive disorder (MDD), perfusion changes in cortico-limbic pathways are interpreted as altered neuronal activity, but they could also signify changes in neurovascular coupling due to altered capillary function. To examine capillary function in late-onset MDD, 22 patients and 22 age- and gender-matched controls underwent perfusion MRI. We measured normalized cerebral blood flow (nCBF), cerebral blood volume (nCBV), and relative transit-time heterogeneity (RTH). Resulting brain oxygenation was estimated in terms of oxygen tension and normalized metabolic rate of oxygen (nCMRO2). Patients revealed signs of capillary dysfunction (elevated RTH) in the anterior prefrontal cortex and ventral anterior cingulate cortex bilaterally and in the left insulate cortex compared to controls, bilateral hypometabolism (parallel reductions of nCBV, nCBF, and CMRO2) but preserved capillary function in the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus bilaterally, and hyperactivity with preserved capillary function (increased nCBF) in the cerebellum and brainstem. Our data support that perfusion changes in deep nuclei and cerebellum reflect abnormally low and high activity, respectively, in MDD patients, but suggest that microvascular pathology affects neurovascular coupling in ventral circuits. We speculate that microvascular pathology is important for our understanding of etiology of late-onset MDD as well as infererences about resulting brain activity changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke B Dalby
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience (CFIN) / MINDLab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Centre for Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark; Department of Radiology, Section of Neuroradiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Simon F Eskildsen
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience (CFIN) / MINDLab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Poul Videbech
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Depression Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Raben Rosenberg
- Centre for Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark; Centre of Psychiatry Amager, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leif Østergaard
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience (CFIN) / MINDLab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Neuroradiology Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Section of Neuroradiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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3
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Pedrini L, Ferrari C, Lanfredi M, Bellani M, Porcelli S, Caletti E, Sala M, Rossetti MG, Piccin S, Dusi N, Balestrieri M, Perlini C, Lazzaretti M, Mandolini GM, Pigoni A, Boscutti A, Bonivento C, Serretti A, Rossi R, Brambilla P. The association of childhood trauma, lifetime stressful events and general psychopathological symptoms in euthymic bipolar patients and healthy subjects. J Affect Disord 2021; 289:66-73. [PMID: 33945916 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychopathological symptoms during euthymia in Bipolar Disorder (BD) affect quality of life and predispose to the occurrence of new acute episodes, however only few studies investigated potential risk-factors. This study aims to explore the association between childhood trauma (CT), lifetime stressful events (SLEs) and psychopathological symptoms in BD patients during euthymia and controls (HC). METHODS A total of 261 participants (93 euthymic patients with BD, 168 HC) were enrolled. Generalized linear models and multiple logistic models were used to assess the association among the Symptom Check List-90-R (SCL-90-R), the Infancy Trauma Interview, the Paykel Life Events Scale. RESULTS The rate of participants reporting CT was higher in BD (n=47; 53%) than HC (n=43; 30%) (p=0.001). The experience of neglect was strongly related to BD (OR 6.5; p=0.003). CT was associated to higher scores on the SCL-90-R subscales (all the subscales except Phobia). No effects of the interaction between CT and diagnosis were found on SCL-90-R. Finally, there was a main effect of CT on lifetime SLEs (p<.001), that was not associated with diagnosis (p=0.833), nor with the interaction between CT and diagnosis (p=0.624). LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional design does not allow causal inferences; the exclusion of subjects reporting medical or psychiatric comorbidity limits generalizability. CONCLUSIONS CT was associated both to psychopathological symptoms during euthymia and the lifetime SLEs, thus it may represent a vulnerability factor influencing the course of BD. Overall, these data contribute to overcome the limited evidences documenting the influence of environmental factors on euthymic phase in BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pedrini
- Unit of Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, via Pilastroni 4, 25125, Italy.
| | - Clarissa Ferrari
- Service of Statistics, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, via Pilastroni 4, 25125, Italy
| | - Mariangela Lanfredi
- Unit of Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, via Pilastroni 4, 25125, Italy
| | - Marcella Bellani
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Porcelli
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Ugo Foscolo 7, 40123 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Caletti
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Sala
- Department of Mental Health, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Alessandria, via Venezia 6, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Maria Gloria Rossetti
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Piccin
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, P.le S. Maria della Misericordia 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Nicola Dusi
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo Balestrieri
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, P.le S. Maria della Misericordia 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Cinzia Perlini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Lazzaretti
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, Milano, Italy
| | - Gian Mario Mandolini
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pigoni
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, Milano, Italy; MoMiLab Research Unit, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca, Italy
| | - Andrea Boscutti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Carolina Bonivento
- Scientific Institute IRCCS 'Eugenio Medea', Polo FVG, Via della Bontà 7, 33078 San Vito al Tagliamento, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Ugo Foscolo 7, 40123 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberta Rossi
- Unit of Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, via Pilastroni 4, 25125, Italy
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, Milano, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milano, Italy
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Messinger MF, Caldieraro MA, Mosqueiro BP, da Costa FB, Barcelos WDS, Santos PV, Parker G, Fleck MP. First-time administration of the Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index (SMPI) to non-English-speaking patients: a study from Brazil. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2021; 43:599-604. [PMID: 33787757 PMCID: PMC8639007 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index (SMPI) is a scale that uses a non-conventional strategy to assess melancholia status based on prototypic symptoms and illness course variables. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the first translation of this instrument in a non-English-speaking population. Methods: A sample comprising 106 Brazilian outpatients with depression was evaluated simultaneously with the Brazilian version of the self-rated SMPI (SMPI-SR) and clinician-rated SMPI (SMPI-CR). The kappa coefficient and t test were used to evaluate concurrent validity vs. DSM-IV, CORE system, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-6 item (HAM-D6), and HAM-D17 assignments to a melancholic or non-melancholic class. The prevalence of melancholia as well as sensitivity and specificity were calculated across instruments. Results: The prevalence of melancholia was highest using DSM-IV criteria (56.6%). The kappa agreement between SMPI-CR and DSM-IV melancholia assignment was moderate (kappa 0.44, p ≤ 0.001). SMPI-CR-assigned melancholic patients had significantly higher CORE, HAM-D17, and HAM-D6 scores. The test-retest consistency values for the SMPI were modest at best, and somewhat superior for the CR version. Conclusion: The Brazilian SMPI-CR presented satisfactory psychometric properties (which were superior to those of the SMPI-SR), and therefore appears to be a useful option for identifying melancholia and studying its causes and optimal treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus F Messinger
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marco A Caldieraro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruno P Mosqueiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Felipe B da Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - William Dos S Barcelos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro V Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gordon Parker
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marcelo P Fleck
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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5
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Melancholia defined with the precision of a machine. J Affect Disord 2021; 282:69-73. [PMID: 33401125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The status of melancholia as a categorical or dimensional condition remains unclear, and no measure of melancholia has achieved definitive status. This study aimed to use a machine learning approach to assess whether a pre-established cut-off score on the Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index (SMPI) provided clear differentiation of melancholic/non-melancholic depression, and to identify the items making the most distinct contribution. METHODS We analysed amalgamated data sets of 1513 clinically depressed patients assessed via the clinician-rated version of the SMPI (SMPI-CR). We also evaluated the self-report version of the SMPI (SMPI-SR) in a combined clinical/community sample of 2025 depressed patients and senior high school students. Rule ensembles were derived in which the outcome measure was the presence/absence of melancholia (defined as scoring at or above a SMPI cut-off score that had been established in previous studies) and the predictive variables were the individual SMPI items. RESULTS The pre-established SMPI cut-off score was confirmed as differentiating melancholic/non-melancholic with near perfect accuracy for the SMPI-CR, and with very high accuracy for the SMPI-SR. The relative importance of all SMPI items was quantified. LIMITATIONS It is difficult to validate SMPI-assigned diagnoses due to the lack of any similar measures. CONCLUSIONS The SMPI-CR was confirmed to be a highly precise instrument for differentiating melancholic and non-melancholic depression. Its use will advance clinical decision making and studies evaluating causes, mechanisms and treatments for the two depressive sub-types, as well as assist clarification as to whether melancholia is categorically or dimensionally distinct from non-melancholic depression.
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Sarkar A, Sarmah D, Datta A, Kaur H, Jagtap P, Raut S, Shah B, Singh U, Baidya F, Bohra M, Kalia K, Borah A, Wang X, Dave KR, Yavagal DR, Bhattacharya P. Post-stroke depression: Chaos to exposition. Brain Res Bull 2020; 168:74-88. [PMID: 33359639 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia contributes to significant disabilities worldwide, impairing cognitive function and motor coordination in affected individuals. Stroke has severe neuropsychological outcomes, the major one being a stroke. Stroke survivors begin to show symptoms of depression within a few months of the incidence that overtime progresses to become a long-term ailment. As the pathophysiology for the progression of the disease is multifactorial and complex, it limits the understanding of the disease mechanism completely. Meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials have shown that intervening early with tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin receptor inhibitors can be effective. However, these pharmacotherapies possess several limitations that have given rise to newer approaches such as brain stimulation, psychotherapy and rehabilitation therapy, which in today's time are gaining attention for their beneficial results in post-stroke depression (PSD). The present review highlights numerous factors like lesion location, inflammatory mediators and genetic abnormalities that play a crucial role in the development of depression in stroke patients. Further, we have also discussed various mechanisms involved in post-stroke depression (PSD) and strategies for early detection and diagnosis using biomarkers that may revolutionize treatment for the affected population. Towards the end, along with the preclinical scenario, we have also discussed the various treatment approaches like pharmacotherapy, traditional medicines, psychotherapy, electrical stimulation and microRNAs being utilized for effectively managing PSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankan Sarkar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Deepaneeta Sarmah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Aishika Datta
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Priya Jagtap
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Swapnil Raut
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Birva Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Upasna Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Falguni Baidya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Mariya Bohra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Kiran Kalia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Anupom Borah
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Kunjan R Dave
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Dileep R Yavagal
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Pallab Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
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Pollok J, Van agteren J, Chong A, Carson‐chahhoud K, Smith B. Evaluation of existing experimental evidence for treatment of depression in indigenous populations: A systematic review. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ajpy.12204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Pollok
- The University of Adelaide, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia,
| | - Joseph Van agteren
- Wellbeing and Resilience Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia,
| | - Alwin Chong
- Positive Futures Research Collaboration, Sansom Institute for Health Research, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia,
| | - Kristin Carson‐chahhoud
- Division of Health Sciences, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia,
| | - Brian Smith
- The University of Adelaide, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia,
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Messinger MF, Caldieraro MA, Mosqueiro BP, da Costa FBP, Possebon GMP, Santos PVDLN, Parker G, Fleck MP. Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index (SMPI): translation and cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese. TRENDS IN PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY 2020; 42:247-255. [PMID: 33084802 PMCID: PMC7879070 DOI: 10.1590/2237-6089-2019-0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Depression is possibly not a single syndrome but rather comprises several subtypes. DSM-5 proposes a melancholia specifier with phenotypic characteristics that could be associated with clinical progression, biological markers or therapeutic response. The Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index (SMPI) is a prototypic scale aimed to improve the diagnosis of melancholia. So far, there is only an English version of the instrument available. The aim of this study is to describe the translation and adaptation of the English version of the SMPI into Brazilian Portuguese. Methods Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the self-report (SMPI-SR) and clinician-rated (SMPI-CR) versions into Brazilian Portuguese were done following recommendations of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). This guideline includes the following steps: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back translation, back translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, debriefing results review, proofreading and final report. Results The Brazilian Portuguese versions of the SMPI were well-accepted by respondents. Changes in about two-thirds of the items were considered necessary to obtain the final Brazilian Portuguese version of the SMPI. Conclusions Both versions of the SMPI are now available in Brazilian Portuguese. The instrument could become an important option to enhance studies on melancholia in Portuguese-speaking samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Frizzo Messinger
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Caldieraro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruno Paz Mosqueiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela Maria Pereira Possebon
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro Victor de Lima Nascimento Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gordon Parker
- Black Dog Institute, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marcelo P Fleck
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Serviço de Psiquiatria, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Parker G, Hadzi-Pavlovic D. Do Hamilton depression scale items have the capacity to differentiate melancholic and non-melancholic depressive sub-types? J Affect Disord 2020; 274:1022-1027. [PMID: 32663928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While there have been several Hamilton depression sub-scales named as to indicate that they have the capacity to differentiate melancholic depression, all but one actually measure depression severity. As a valid Hamilton-derived melancholia scale would have high utility in evaluating the comparative effectiveness of differing treatments for melancholia we designed a study with such an objective. METHODS Items from the 17-item Hamilton depression scale over-represented in those with melancholia in five clinical studies generated two potential scales with nine and four items respectively, and were superior in differentiating melancholic and non-melancholic depression in comparison to a 6-item Hamilton measure. As melancholia is viewed as showing a superior response to antidepressant medication and a poor response to placebo we evaluated our newly derived scale measures against the total Hamilton measure in five randomized controlled trials. RESULTS There was minimal and non-consistent support for our new measures in demonstrating that they showed greater superiority than total Hamilton depression scores in meeting one of melancholia's ascriptions - a superior response to antidepressant drug than to placebo. LIMITATIONS We assume that melancholia is a categorical type as against simply being a more severe expression of depression. CONCLUSIONS Confirming the ascription that melancholia shows a superior response to antidepressant drug and a lower response to placebo has not been able to be demonstrated from generating a melancholia index from Hamilton scale items.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Parker
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia.
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10
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Lecrubier Y, Bech P. The Ham D6 is more homogenous and as sensitive as the Ham D17. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 22:252-5. [PMID: 17344030 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2007.01.1218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2006] [Revised: 01/10/2007] [Accepted: 01/11/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveUsing the data of a positive d.b.c.t. comparing an hypericum extract (W55570) to placebo in depressed patients we explored whether the Ham D6 was unidimentional and in case of a positive answer whether the total score was as sensitive as the total score of the Ham D17.MethodsThe study was a 6 weeks double blind placebo controlled trial comparing 300 mg of hypericum t.i.d (n = 186), to placebo (n = 189), in patients with a single or recurrent depression according to DSM-IV. Superiority of hypericum versus placebo on the main outcome criterion (HDRS 17) was already published.The unidimensionality of the Hamilton depression scale 6 and 17 items were tested using a Mokken scale analysis. The effect size according to the initial severity of depression was calculated on the ITT last observation carried forward population.ResultsThe Ham D6, covering the core symptoms of depression was unidimensional, implying that improving this score reflects a true antidepressant effect. The Ham D17 was not unidimensional.Hypericum was an effective antidepressant in patients with a pre-treatment score of 12 or more (n = 208) on the Ham D6, the effect size was 0.46. No difference with placebo was observed for those with a score of less than 12 (n = 167).ConclusionsFor the evaluation of an antidepressant effect, because of its specificity and sensitivity, the Ham D6 should be used as a primary outcome measure rather than the Ham D17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Lecrubier
- INSERM U 302, Bâtiment de la Force--Pavillon Clérambault, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
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11
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Fleck MP, Carrozzino D, Fava GA. The challenge of measurement in psychiatry: the lifetime accomplishments of Per Bech (1942-2018). REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PSIQUIATRIA (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL : 1999) 2019; 41:369-372. [PMID: 31269098 PMCID: PMC6796809 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2019-0509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo P. Fleck
- Departamento de Psiquiatria e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Danilo Carrozzino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Psicologiche, della Salute e del Territorio, Università degli Studi “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti e Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni A. Fava
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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12
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Lex C, Hautzinger M, Meyer TD. Symptoms, course of Illness, and comorbidity as predictors of expressed emotion in bipolar disorder. Psychiatry Res 2019; 276:12-17. [PMID: 30981096 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
High levels of expressed emotions (EE) reflect the amount of criticism and/or over-involvement in families and has been linked to relapse risk in various psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder (BD). Less clear is which factors contribute to the development and/or maintenance of EE. Therefore, we tested whether patient characteristics, specifically clinical features and personality disorder traits in BD predicted key aspects of EE as assessed by patients and their relatives. Patients with remitted BD and their relatives were asked to complete the Family Attitude Scale (FAS) and the Perceived Criticism Measure (PCM). Patient characteristics were assessed with a variety of measures including SCID I and II. The FAS and PCM shared 25% of the variance for patients and 14% for relatives, suggesting a conceptual overlap, but they may not assess identical constructs. The number of previous mood episodes, current self-rated manic symptoms, and comorbid symptoms of Cluster C personality disorder predicted patient-rated FAS. Relative-rated FAS was only predicted by comorbid symptoms of Cluster A personality disorder. In BD, specific patient characteristics seem to be linked to key aspects of EE even when in remission. However, it might depend whether the patient, his/her relative, or a neutral observer assessed EE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Lex
- Department of Psychiatry, Villach General Hospital, Nikolaigasse 43, 9500 Villach, Austria.
| | - Martin Hautzinger
- Department of Psychology, Eberhard Karls University, Schleichstrasse 4, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thomas D Meyer
- McGovern Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas HSC at Houston, 1941 East Road (BBSB 3118), Houston, Texas 77054, USA.
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13
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Ellegaard PK, Licht RW, Nielsen RE, Dean OM, Berk M, Poulsen HE, Mohebbi M, Nielsen CT. The efficacy of adjunctive N-acetylcysteine in acute bipolar depression: A randomized placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord 2019; 245:1043-1051. [PMID: 30699846 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.10.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of adjunctive N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for the treatment of acute bipolar depression. METHOD A randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial including adult subjects diagnosed with bipolar disorder, currently experiencing a depressive episode. Participants were treated with 3 g/day NAC or placebo as an adjunctive to standard treatment for 20 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout where the blinding was maintained. The primary outcome was the mean change in the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score over the 20-week treatment phase. Linear Mixed Effects Repeated Measures (LMERM) was used for analysing the primary outcome. RESULTS A total of 80 subjects were included. The mean MADRS score at baseline was 30.1 and 28.8 in participants randomized to NAC and placebo, respectively. Regarding the primary outcome measure, the between-group difference (NAC vs. placebo) was 0.5, which was statistically non-significant (95% CI: -7.0-5.9;p = 0.88). All findings regarding secondary outcomes were statistically or clinically insignificant. LIMITATIONS The study had a placebo response rate of 55.6% - high placebo response rates are associated with failure to separate from placebo. CONCLUSIONS Based on our primary outcome measure, we could not confirm previous studies showing a therapeutic effect of adjunctive NAC treatment on acute bipolar depression. Further studies with larger samples are needed to elucidate if specific subgroups could benefit from adjunctive NAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Kempel Ellegaard
- Institute of Regional Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Research Unit, Mental Health Service Esbjerg, The Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark; OPEN, Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital/Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
| | - Rasmus Wentzer Licht
- Unit for Psychiatric Research, Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - René Ernst Nielsen
- Unit for Psychiatric Research, Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Olivia May Dean
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Henrik Enghusen Poulsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Clinical Pharmacology, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark
| | | | - Connie Thuroee Nielsen
- Institute of Regional Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Mental Health Service Vejle, The Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark
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14
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Fava GA, Carrozzino D, Lindberg L, Tomba E. The Clinimetric Approach to Psychological Assessment: A Tribute to Per Bech, MD (1942-2018). PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2019; 87:321-326. [PMID: 30269137 DOI: 10.1159/000493746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, .,Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York,
| | - Danilo Carrozzino
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Lone Lindberg
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Elena Tomba
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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15
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Vindbjerg E, Makransky G, Mortensen EL, Carlsson J. Cross-Cultural Psychometric Properties of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2019; 64:39-46. [PMID: 29719964 PMCID: PMC6364134 DOI: 10.1177/0706743718772516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) is considered the gold standard measure of depression. The factor structure of the HDRS is generally unstable, but 4 to 8 items appear to form a general depression factor. As transcultural studies of the HDRS have received little attention, and as most of the studies have taken a data-driven approach with a tendency to yield fragmented results, it is not clear if an HDRS general depression factor can also be found in non-Western populations. This is an important issue in deciding on the appropriateness of the scale as a gold standard in transcultural psychiatry. METHOD A systematic review was carried out to compare previously reported factor structures of the HDRS in non-Western cultures. Overlapping clusters across studies were identified and subsequently tested with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of responses from an independent sample. RESULTS Fourteen relevant studies were identified, 12 of which were obtained. A general depression factor was identified, consisting of the following symptoms: depressed mood, guilt, loss of interests, retardation, suicide, and psychological anxiety. The subsequent CFA analysis supported the fit of this model. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that a general depression cluster is manifest in responses to the HDRS across cultures. While psychometric properties of the full-length HDRS are still debated, the general depression cluster appears pertinent to the assessment of depression across cultures. We recommend that cross-cultural clinicians and researchers focus on the use of unidimensional depression scales, which are in agreement with this cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Vindbjerg
- 1 Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Copenhagen, Denmark.,2 Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Guido Makransky
- 2 Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Erik Lykke Mortensen
- 3 Department of Public Health and Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jessica Carlsson
- 1 Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Copenhagen, Denmark
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16
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Ellegaard PK, Licht RW, Poulsen HE, Nielsen RE, Berk M, Dean OM, Mohebbi M, Nielsen CT. Add-on treatment with N-acetylcysteine for bipolar depression: a 24-week randomized double-blind parallel group placebo-controlled multicentre trial (NACOS-study protocol). Int J Bipolar Disord 2018; 6:11. [PMID: 29619634 PMCID: PMC6162004 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-018-0117-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oxidative stress and inflammation may be involved in the development and progression of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. Currently, there is a scarcity of useful treatment options for bipolar depressive episodes, especially compared with the efficacy of treatment for acute mania. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) has been explored for psychiatric disorders for some time given its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The current trial aims at testing the clinical effects of adjunctive NAC treatment (compared to placebo) for bipolar depression. We will also explore the biological effects of NAC in this context. We hypothesize that adjunctive NAC treatment will reduce symptoms of depression, which will be reflected by changes in selected markers of oxidative stress. Methods and analysis In the study, we will include adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder, in a currently depressive episode. Participants will undertake a 20-week, adjunctive, randomized, double-blinded, parallel group placebo-controlled trial comparing 3 grams of adjunctive NAC daily with placebo. The primary outcome is the mean change over time from baseline to end of study on the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Among the secondary outcomes are mean changes from baseline to end of study on the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale (MES), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), the WHO-Five Well-being Index (WHO-5), the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF-F), the Global Assessment of Symptoms scale (GAF-S) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI-S). The potential effects on oxidative stress by NAC treatment will be measured through urine and blood samples. DNA will be examined for potential polymorphisms related to oxidative defences. Trial registration: Registered at The European Clinical Trials Database, ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02294591 and The Danish Data Protection Agency: 2008-58-0035.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Kempel Ellegaard
- Institute of Regional Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. .,Research Unit, Mental Health Service Esbjerg, Gl. Vardevej 101, 6715, Esbjerg N, The Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark. .,OPEN, Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Rasmus Wentzer Licht
- Unit for Psychiatric Research, Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Henrik Enghusen Poulsen
- Clinical Pharmacology, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - René Ernst Nielsen
- Unit for Psychiatric Research, Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Olivia May Dean
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Connie Thuroee Nielsen
- Institute of Regional Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Mental Health Service Vejle, Odense, The Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark
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Neu P, Gooren T, Niebuhr U, Schlattmann P. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and depression: A comparison of stability and course. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2017; 26:215-228. [PMID: 29161150 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2017.1392962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are clinically relevant features in schizophrenia and depression, yet little comparative data on changes in both disorders is available. This study compares cognitive performance of inpatients with schizophrenia (N = 52) and unipolar major depression (N = 67) during psychiatric treatment, assessing performance twice: after admission to hospital (acute) and prior to discharge (postacute) on average seven weeks later. A group of healthy controls was tested at comparable intervals. Data was analyzed using a multivariate linear model. Patients with schizophrenia and depression showed significantly impaired performance compared to healthy controls. On follow-up both patient groups showed improved performance. Contrary to expectation, patients with schizophrenia showed greater improvement in verbal memory, visual memory, and psychomotor speed than depressive patients. Verbal fluency presented as a possible candidate to differentiate between both disorders. Similar profiles of generalized cognitive deficits were observed in both patient-groups on acute and postacute assessment, which might indicate trait-like deficits with persistent functional implications in both disorders. Findings do not support assumptions of greater cognitive impairment in schizophrenia compared to depression. A distinction of the disorders on the grounds of cognitive functioning seems to be less specific than presumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Neu
- a Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Charité - University Medicine Berlin , Berlin , Germany.,b Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Jewish Hospital , Berlin , Germany
| | - Tina Gooren
- a Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Charité - University Medicine Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Ulrike Niebuhr
- c Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Vivantes Hospital Neukölln , Berlin , Germany
| | - Peter Schlattmann
- d Department of Medical Statistics, Computer Sciences and Documentation , Jena University Hospital , Jena , Germany
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18
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Harm avoidance (HA) and "not just right experience" (NJRE) have been proposed to be 2 core motivational processes underlying obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The objective of this study was to explore whether NJRE demarcates a neurodevelopmental OCD subgroup distinct from HA related to autistic traits and/or to a broader phenotype of cognitive rigidity and sensory processing difficulties associated with an earlier age of OCD onset. METHODS A correlational design investigated whether NJRE and HA are distinct entities in OCD and explored their relationship to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits measured by the Autism Quotient (AQ), sensory processing, set-shifting, and age of OCD onset in an OCD sample (N=25). RESULTS NJRE was only moderately (r=.34) correlated to HA and not significant in this study. Consistent with predictions, NJRE was associated with sensory processing difficulties and an earlier age of OCD onset. No significant relationships were found between NJRE and ASD traits as measured by the AQ or set-shifting difficulties. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings suggest a lack of evidence demonstrating NJRE as a manifestation of core autistic traits as measured by the AQ. However, NJRE was associated with sensory abnormalities and an earlier age of OCD onset. The role of NJRE as a developmental, and possibly neurodevelopmental, risk factor for OCD possibly warrants further investigation.
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19
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Holmskov J, Licht R, Andersen K, Bjerregaard Stage T, Mørkeberg Nilsson F, Bjerregaard Stage K, Valentin J, Bech P, Ernst Nielsen R. Diagnostic Conversion to Bipolar Disorder in Unipolar Depressed Patients Participating in Trials on Antidepressants. Eur Psychiatry 2016; 40:76-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveIn unipolar depressed patients participating in trials on antidepressants, we investigated if illness characteristics at baseline could predict conversion to bipolar disorder.MethodA long-term register-based follow-up study of 290 unipolar depressed patients with a mean age of 50.8 years (SD = 11.9) participating in three randomized trials on antidepressants conducted in the period 1985–1994. The independent effects of explanatory variables were examined by applying Cox regression analyses.ResultsThe overall risk of conversion was 20.7%, with a mean follow-up time of 15.2 years per patient. The risk of conversion was associated with an increasing number of previous depressive episodes at baseline, [HR 1.18, 95% CI (1.10–1.26)]. No association with gender, age, age at first depressive episode, duration of baseline episode, subtype of depression or any of the investigated HAM-D subscales included was found.LimitationsThe patients were followed-up through the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register, which resulted in inherent limitations such as possible misclassification of outcome.ConclusionIn a sample of middle-aged hospitalized unipolar depressed patients participating in trials on antidepressants, the risk of conversion was associated with the number of previous depressive episodes. Therefore, this study emphasizes that unipolar depressed patients experiencing a relatively high number of recurrences should be followed more closely, or at least be informed about the possible increased risk of conversion.
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20
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Østergaard SD, Rothschild AJ, Flint AJ, Mulsant BH, Whyte EM, Leadholm AK, Bech P, Meyers BS. Rating scales measuring the severity of psychotic depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015; 132:335-44. [PMID: 26016647 PMCID: PMC4604003 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Unipolar psychotic depression (PD) is a severe and debilitating syndrome, which requires intensive monitoring. The objective of this study was to provide an overview of the rating scales used to assess illness severity in PD. METHOD Selective review of publications reporting results on non-self-rated, symptom-based rating scales utilized to measure symptom severity in PD. The clinical and psychometric validity of the identified rating scales was reviewed. RESULTS A total of 14 rating scales meeting the predefined criteria were included in the review. These scales grouped into the following categories: (i) rating scales predominantly covering depressive symptoms, (ii) rating scales predominantly covering psychotic symptoms, (iii) rating scales covering delusions, and (iv) rating scales covering PD. For the vast majority of the scales, the clinical and psychometric validity had not been tested empirically. The only exception from this general tendency was the 11-item Psychotic Depression Assessment Scale (PDAS), which was developed specifically to assess the severity of PD. CONCLUSION In PD, the PDAS represents the only empirically derived rating scale for the measurement of overall severity of illness. The PDAS should be considered in future studies of PD and in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren D. Østergaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital,
Aarhus, Denmark,Department P - Research, Aarhus University Hospital - Risskov,
Risskov, Denmark
| | - Anthony J. Rothschild
- University of Massachusetts Medical School and University of
Massachusetts Memorial Health Care, Worcester, Massachusetts USA
| | - Alastair J. Flint
- Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
| | - Benoit H. Mulsant
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada,Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of
Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ellen M. Whyte
- Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of
Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Per Bech
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Center North Zealand,
Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Barnett S. Meyers
- Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian
Hospital - Westchester Division, White Plains, New York, USA
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Bech P, Timmerby N, Martiny K, Lunde M, Soendergaard S. Psychometric evaluation of the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) as depression severity scale using the LEAD (Longitudinal Expert Assessment of All Data) as index of validity. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:190. [PMID: 26242577 PMCID: PMC4526416 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0529-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) was developed to cover the universe of depressive symptoms in DSM-IV major depression as well as in ICD-10 mild, moderate, and severe depression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the standardization of the MDI as a depression severity scale using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) as index of external validity in accordance with the LEAD approach (Longitudinal Expert Assessment of All Data). METHODS We used data from two previously published studies in which the patients had a MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview verified diagnosis of DSM-IV major depression. The conventional VAS scores for no, mild, moderate, and severe depression were used for the standardization of the MDI. RESULTS The inter-correlation for the MDI with the clinician ratings (VAS, MES, HAM-D17 and HAM-D6) increased over the rating weeks in terms of Pearson coefficients. After nine weeks of therapy the coefficient ranged from 0.74 to 0.83. Using the clinician-rated VAS depression severity scale, the conventional MDI cut-off scores for no or doubtful depression, and for mild, moderate and severe depression were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS Using the VAS as index of external, clinical validity, the standardization of the MDI as a measure of depression severity was accepted, with an MDI cut-off score of 21 for mild depression, 26 for moderate depression severity, and 31 for severe depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION Martiny et al. Acta Psychiatr Scand 112:117-25, 2005: None - due to trial commencement date. Straaso et al. Acta Neuropsychiatr 26:272-9; 2014: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01353092 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Bech
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Dyrehavevej 48, DK-3400, Hillerød, Denmark.
| | - N. Timmerby
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Dyrehavevej 48, DK-3400 Hillerød, Denmark
| | - K. Martiny
- Intensive outpatient unit for Affective Disorders (IAA), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M. Lunde
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Dyrehavevej 48, DK-3400 Hillerød, Denmark
| | - S. Soendergaard
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Dyrehavevej 48, DK-3400 Hillerød, Denmark
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22
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Martiny K, Refsgaard E, Lund V, Lunde M, Thougaard B, Lindberg L, Bech P. Maintained superiority of chronotherapeutics vs. exercise in a 20-week randomized follow-up trial in major depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015; 131:446-57. [PMID: 25689725 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the long-term antidepressant effect of a chronotherapeutic intervention. METHOD In this randomized controlled trial 75 patients with major depression were allocated to fixed duloxetine and either a chronotherapeutic intervention (wake group) with three initial wake therapies, daily bright light therapy, and sleep time stabilization or to a group using daily exercise. Patients were followed 29 weeks. We report the last 20 weeks, a follow-up phase, where medication could be altered. Patients were assessed every 4 weeks. Remission rates were primary outcome. RESULTS Patients in the wake group had a statistically significant higher remission rate of 61.9% vs. 37.9% in the exercise group at week 29 (OR = 2.6, CL = 1.3-5.6, P = 0.01). This indicated continued improvement compared with the 9 weeks of treatment response (44.8% vs. 23.4%) with maintenance of the large difference between groups. HAM-D17 endpoint scores were statistically lower in the wake group with endpoint scores of 7.5 (SE = 0.9) vs. 10.1 (SE = 0.9) in the exercise group (difference 2.7, CL = 0.5-4.8, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION In this clinical study patients continued to improve in the follow-up phase and obtained very high remission rates. This is the first study to show adjunct short-term wake therapy and long-term bright light therapy as an effective and feasible method to attain and maintain remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Martiny
- Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - E Refsgaard
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerod, Denmark
| | - V Lund
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerod, Denmark
| | - M Lunde
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerod, Denmark
| | - B Thougaard
- Physiotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Lindberg
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerod, Denmark
| | - P Bech
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerod, Denmark
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Østergaard SD, Pedersen CH, Uggerby P, Munk-Jørgensen P, Rothschild AJ, Larsen JI, Gøtzsche C, Søndergaard MG, Bille AG, Bolwig TG, Larsen JK, Bech P. Clinical and psychometric validation of the psychotic depression assessment scale. J Affect Disord 2015; 173:261-8. [PMID: 25462426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have indicated that the 11-item Psychotic Depression Assessment Scale (PDAS), consisting of the 6-item melancholia subscale (HAM-D6) of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and 5 psychosis items from the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), is a valid measure for the severity of psychotic depression. The aim of this study was to subject the PDAS, and its depression (HAM-D6) and psychosis (BPRS5) subscales to further validation. METHODS Patients diagnosed with psychotic depression at Danish psychiatric hospitals participated in semi-structured interviews. Video recordings of these interviews were assessed by two experienced psychiatrists (global severity rating of psychotic depression, depressive symptoms and psychotic symptoms) and by two young physicians (rating on 27 symptom items, including the 11 PDAS items). The clinical validity and responsiveness of the PDAS and its subscales was investigated by Spearman correlation analysis of the global severity ratings and the PDAS, HAM-D6, and BPRS5 total scores. The unidimensionality of the scales was tested by item response theory analysis (Mokken). RESULTS Ratings from 39 participants with unipolar psychotic depression and nine participants with bipolar psychotic depression were included in the analysis. The Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the PDAS, HAM-D6 and BPRS5 were clinically valid (correlation coefficients from 0.78 to 0.85, p<0.001) and responsive (correlation coefficients from 0.72 to 0.86, p<0.001) measures of psychotic depression. According to the Mokken analysis, all three scales were unidimensional. CONCLUSIONS The clinical validity, responsiveness and unidimensionality of the PDAS and its subscales were confirmed in an independent sample of patients with psychotic depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren D Østergaard
- Research Department P, Aarhus University Hospital - Risskov, Risskov, Denmark; Unit for Psychiatric Research, Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Christina H Pedersen
- Unit for Psychiatric Research, Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Peter Uggerby
- Unit for Psychiatric Research, Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Anthony J Rothschild
- University of Massachusetts Medical School and University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jens Ivar Larsen
- Unit for Psychiatric Research, Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Camilla Gøtzsche
- Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mia G Søndergaard
- Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Gry Bille
- Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tom G Bolwig
- Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry, Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Knud Larsen
- Department M, Aarhus University Hospital - Risskov, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Per Bech
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Center North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
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The Diagnostic Apathia Scale predicts a dose-remission relationship of T-PEMF in treatment-resistant depression. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2015; 27:1-7. [PMID: 25273893 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2014.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive validity of the apathy subsyndrome in patients with therapy-resistant depression in the dose-remission study with transcranial pulsating electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF). METHODS The apathy subsyndrome consists of the symptoms of fatigue, concentration and memory problems, lack of interests, difficulties in making decisions, and sleep problems. We evaluated 65 patients with therapy-resistant depression. In total, 34 of these patients received placebo T-PEMF in the afternoon and active T-PEMF in the morning, that is, one daily dose. The remaining 31 patients received active T-PEMF twice daily. Duration of treatment was 8 weeks in both groups. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D17) and the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale (MES) were used to measure remission. We also focused on the Diagnostic Apathia Scale, which is based on a mixture of items from the MINI and the HAM-D17/MES. RESULTS In patients without apathy, the remission rate after T-PEMF was 83.9% versus 58.8% in patients with apathy (p≤0.05). In patients without apathy receiving one active dose daily 94.4% remitted versus 50% for patients with apathy (p≤0.05). In patients without apathy who received two active doses 69.9% remitted versus 66.7% for patients with apathy (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION Taking the baseline diagnosis of the apathy syndrome into consideration, we found that in patients without apathy one daily dose of T-PEMF is sufficient, but in patients with apathy two daily doses are necessary. Including the apathy syndrome as predictor in future studies would seem to be clinically relevant.
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Psychometric analysis of the Melancholia Scale in trials with non-pharmacological augmentation of patients with therapy-resistant depression. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2014; 26:155-60. [PMID: 25142191 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2013.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Melancholia Scale (MES) consists of the psychic core items of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D6) (depressed mood, interests, psychic anxiety, general somatic, guilt feelings, and psychomotor retardation) and the neuropsychiatric items of the Cronholm-Ottossen Depression Scale. Patients resistant to anti-depressant medication (therapy-resistant depression) have participated in our trials with non-pharmacological augmentation. On the basis of these trials, we have evaluated to what extent the neuropsychiatric subscale of the MES (concentration difficulties, fatigability, emotional introversion, sleep problems, and decreased verbal communication) is a measure of severity of apathia when compared with the HAM-D6 subscale of the MES. METHODS We have focused on rating sessions at baseline (week 0) and after 2 and 4 weeks of therapy in four clinical trials on therapy-resistant depression with the following augmentations: electroconvulsive therapy, bright light therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation or pulsed electromagnetic fields, and wake therapy. The item response theory model constructed by Mokken has been used as the psychometric validation of unidimensionality. For the numerical evaluation of transferability, we have tested item ranks across the rating weeks. RESULTS In the Mokken analysis, the coefficient of homogeneity was above 0.40 for both the HAM-D subscale and the apathia subscale at week 4. The numerical transferability across the weeks was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for both subscales. CONCLUSION The apathia subscale is a unidimensional scale with acceptable transferability for the measurement of treatment-resistant symptoms, analogue to the psychic core subscale (HAM-D6).
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Even though cognitive deficits are well recognised in schizophrenia and depression, direct comparisons between the disorders are scarce in literature. This study aims to assess specificity and degree of cognitive deficits in inpatients with acute schizophrenia and unipolar major depression. METHODS A neuropsychological test battery was administered to 76 schizophrenic patients, 102 patients with unipolar major depression and 85 healthy controls (HCs), assessing verbal learning [Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT)], processing speed (Trail Making Test), verbal fluency and visual memory (Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised test). RESULTS Both patient groups were significantly impaired compared with HCs with regard to all test outcomes. The schizophrenia group (SG) performed significantly worse in the Wechsler Memory Scale and verbal fluency than the depression group (DG). The DG reached significantly lower scores than the SG in the RAVLT delayed recall subtest. No significant group difference between SG and DG was found for the Trail Making Test and the RAVLT direct recall trails. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that cognitive impairment is present in both disorders. Schizophrenic patients performed worse than patients with unipolar depression in only two of the administered tests. Differences in cognitive performance between the groups are not as general as often assumed. Therefore, during the acute phase of illness, a diagnostic classification on the grounds of the patients' neurocognitive performance has to be done with caution.
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Dalby RB, Elfving B, Poulsen PHP, Foldager L, Frandsen J, Videbech P, Rosenberg R. Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor and prefrontal white matter integrity in late-onset depression and normal aging. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2013; 128:387-96. [PMID: 23350796 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cerebral deep white matter lesions (DWMLs), and measures of white matter integrity in patients with late-onset depression, with respect to vascular risk factors. METHOD We examined 22 patients with late-onset depression and 22 matched controls. Quantification of plasma BDNF and VEGF levels were performed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Measures of white matter integrity comprised apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA), obtained by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Effects of DWMLs, FA, ADC, and vascular risk factors on BDNF and VEGF were assessed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS The BDNF and VEGF levels did not differ significantly between groups. With pooled data for patients and controls, the BDNF level was positively associated with both number (t = 2.14, P = 0.039) and volume (t = 2.04, P = 0.048) of prefrontal DWMLs and negatively associated with FA in prefrontal normal-appearing white matter (t = -2.40, P = 0.02), adjusted for age and gender. Smoking and hypercholesterolemia was positively associated with the BDNF (t = 2.36, P = 0.023) and VEGF levels (t = 2.28, P = 0.028), respectively. CONCLUSION Our results suggest a role for BDNF in the complex pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying DWMLs in both normal aging and late-onset depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Dalby
- Centre for Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark; MINDLab, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Malhi GS, Hitching R, Berk M, Boyce P, Porter R, Fritz K. Pharmacological management of unipolar depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl 2013:6-23. [PMID: 23586873 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To be used in conjunction with 'Psychological management of unipolar depression' [Lampe et al. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2013;127(Suppl. 443):24-37] and 'Lifestyle management of unipolar depression' [Berk et al. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2013;127(Suppl. 443):38-54]. To provide clinically relevant recommendations for the use of pharmacological treatments in depression derived from a literature review. METHOD Using our previous Clinical Practice Guidelines [Malhi et al. Clinical practice recommendations for bipolar disorder. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2009;119(Suppl. 439):27-46] as a foundation, these clinician guidelines target key practical considerations when prescribing pharmacotherapy. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using electronic database searches (PubMed, MEDLINE), and the findings have been synthesized and integrated alongside clinical experience. RESULTS The pharmacotherapy of depression is an iterative process that often results in partial and non-response. Beyond the initiation of antidepressants, the options within widely used strategies, such as combining agents and switching between agents, are difficult to prescribe because of the paucity of pertinent research. However, there is some evidence for second-line strategies, and a non-prescriptive algorithm can be derived that is based broadly on principles rather than specific steps. CONCLUSION Depression is by its very nature a heterogeneous illness that is consequently difficult to treat. Invariably, situation-specific factors often play a significant role and must be considered, especially in the case of partial and non-response. Consulting with colleagues and trialling alternate treatment paradigms are essential strategies in the management of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - P. Boyce
- Discipline of Psychiatry; Sydney Medical School; University of Sydney; Sydney; NSW; Australia
| | - R. Porter
- Department of Psychological Medicine; University of Otago; Christchurch; New Zealand
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Tomba E, Bech P. Clinimetrics and clinical psychometrics: macro- and micro-analysis. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2013; 81:333-43. [PMID: 22964522 DOI: 10.1159/000341757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinimetrics was introduced three decades ago to specify the domain of clinical markers in clinical medicine (indexes or rating scales). In this perspective, clinical validity is the platform for selecting the various indexes or rating scales (macro-analysis). Psychometric validation of these indexes or rating scales is the measuring aspect (micro-analysis). METHODS Clinical judgment analysis by experienced psychiatrists is included in the macro-analysis and the item response theory models are especially preferred in the micro-analysis when using the total score as a sufficient statistic. RESULTS Clinical assessment tools covering severity of illness scales, prognostic measures, issues of co-morbidity, longitudinal assessments, recovery, stressors, lifestyle, psychological well-being, and illness behavior have been identified. CONCLUSION The constructive dialogue in clinimetrics between clinical judgment and psychometric validation procedures is outlined for generating developments of clinical practice in psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Tomba
- Laboratory of Psychosomatics and Clinimetrics, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Early maladaptive schemas and functional impairment in remitted bipolar disorder patients. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2012; 43:1104-8. [PMID: 22743343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Previous research indicates that low self-esteem is associated with functional impairment in remitted bipolar disorder patients. The present study aimed to elucidate this area further by exploring the relationship between different self-schemas and key functional outcome domains. METHODS The study consisted of 49 remitted bipolar disorders patients who completed the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Version (YSQ-S3) and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). RESULTS A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the schemas Social Isolation, Failure to Achieve, Dependence, Vulnerability to Harm and Illness, Emotional Inhibition, Insufficient Self-Control, and Pessimism accounted for 28% of the variance in functional impairment when controlling for length of remission and subsyndromal depressive symptoms. LIMITATIONS The WSAS as a self-report scale measures the patients' perception of own functioning and is therefore not an objective measure of functioning. CONCLUSIONS The findings delineate specific psychological vulnerabilities which are likely to be implicated in functional impairment in bipolar disorder and as such warrant further examination in terms of their causal mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
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Bech P, Lunde M, Møller SB. Eysenck's Two Big Personality Factors and Their Relationship to Depression in Patients with Chronic Idiopathic Pain Disorder: A Clinimetric Validation Analysis. ISRN PSYCHIATRY 2012; 2012:140458. [PMID: 23738195 PMCID: PMC3658638 DOI: 10.5402/2012/140458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Aim. The clinimetric aspects of Eysenck's two big personality factors (neuroticism and extraversion) were originally identified by principal component analysis but have been insufficiently analysed with item response theory models. Their relationship to states of melancholia and anxiety was subsequently analysed. Method. Patients with chronic idiopathic pain disorder were included in the study. The nonparametric item response model (Mokken) was compared to the coefficient alpha to validate the anxiety and depression subscales within the neuroticism scale and the extraversion and introversion subscales within the extraversion scale. When measuring states of depression and anxiety, the Melancholia Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale were used. Results. We identified acceptable subscales of anxiety and depression in the Eysenck factor of neuroticism and extraversion versus introversion subscales within the Eysenck factor of extraversion. Focusing on the item of “Does your mood often go up and down?” we showed a statistically significant association with melancholia and anxiety for patients with a positive score on this item. Conclusion. Within the Eysenck factor of neuroticism it is important to differentiate between the anxiety and depression subscales. The clinimetric analysis of the Eysenck factor of extraversion identified valid subscales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Bech
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand, University of Copenhagen, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark
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Martiny K, Lunde M, Bech P, Plenge P. A short-term double-blind randomized controlled pilot trial with active or placebo pindolol in patients treated with venlafaxine for major depression. Nord J Psychiatry 2012; 66:147-54. [PMID: 22458638 DOI: 10.3109/08039488.2012.674553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pindolol has been widely investigated as an augmenter of antidepressant drug response. Results have been inconsistent. In this study, we used pindolol together with venlafaxine because of its ability to achieve a rapid onset of serotonin transporter blockade. AIMS The object of this study was thus to investigate if pindolol augments the antidepressant response to venlafaxine. METHODS Patients with major depression were randomized to either active or placebo pindolol 20 mg retard daily dosage and concomitantly treated with venlafaxine for 19 days. Depression severity was evaluated at four visits. Plasma concentrations of venlafaxine and its major metabolites O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) and N-desmethylvenlafaxine (NDV) and pindolol were analysed. The ratio of ODV/venlafaxine was calculated. A low ratio corresponds to patients being poor metabolizers and a high ratio corresponds to patients being extensive metabolizers. RESULTS No statistically significant difference in depression outcome was found between treatment groups. A statistically significant effect was, however, found of the ratio of ODV/venlafaxine on depression outcome, showing an augmenting effect of pindolol in patients with a low ratio, and the reverse in patients with a high ratio. CONCLUSION The differential effect of pindolol, on depression outcome, in patients with varying degrees of venlafaxine metabolism into ODV, corresponds to patients being poor or extensive metabolizers of venlafaxine. From this finding, we conclude that only patients who are poor metabolizers of venlafaxine might benefit from pindolol augmentation. This mechanism might explain some of the variability of outcome in pindolol augmentation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Martiny
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Isacsson G, Adler M. Randomized clinical trials underestimate the efficacy of antidepressants in less severe depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2012; 125:453-9. [PMID: 22176585 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01815.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Demonstrating the superiority of antidepressants over placebo in randomized clinical trials of antidepressants (RCT-ADs) has been difficult. A recent meta-analysis of six RCT-ADs concluded that the efficacy of antidepressants was 'non-existent to negligible' in mild and moderate depression. The aim of this study was to reanalyze the same data in order to investigate whether the meta-analysis could be biased from the shortcomings of the rating scale used, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). METHOD We got access to the primary data on item and individual level from five of the six meta-analyzed RCT-ADs (597 individuals). We reanalyzed these data by means of item response theory. RESULTS Each study showed rapidly decreasing reliability of measurement with diminishing depression; 38% of the combined sample at endpoint was measured with less than half the maximal reliability. CONCLUSION The HDRS Scale provides unreliable primary data. Low effect sizes can be expected because of the scale's low precision and low sensitivity to change, particularly in mild and moderate depression. The conclusion of the meta-analysis by Fournier et al. is therefore unfounded. The clinical value of antidepressants cannot be evaluated from unreliable data. It is urgent that better measurement techniques for depression severity are developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Isacsson
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Correlations between Stroop task performance and white matter lesion measures in late-onset major depression. Psychiatry Res 2012; 202:142-9. [PMID: 22703621 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2011.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 12/18/2011] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) are believed to play an important role in a subset of patients with late-onset depression by affecting the white matter connectivity in circuitries essential for mood and cognition. In this study we used diffusion tensor imaging-based (DTI-based) tractography to assess white matter fiber tracts affected by deep WMLs (DWMLs) in patients with late-onset major depression and age- and gender-matched controls. Tractography outcome, illustrated as pathways affected by DWMLs, was analyzed for associations with cognitive performance on the Stroop Test (ST). The patients (n=17) performed significantly worse on the ST than the controls (n=22). Poor performance on the ST correlated with higher lesion load. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between poor performance on the ST and tracts affected by DWMLs in multiple brain areas in the control group, but very sparse correlation in the patient group. Our results suggest that DWMLs play an important role in the cognitive performance of controls,whereas their influence in depressed patients is overruled by additional, state-dependent factors. Future focus on the tract-specific localization of WMLs using DTI tractography may reveal important associations between neuroconnectivity and clinical measures.
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Zuo N, Fang J, Lv X, Zhou Y, Hong Y, Li T, Tong H, Wang X, Wang W, Jiang T. White matter abnormalities in major depression: a tract-based spatial statistics and rumination study. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37561. [PMID: 22666366 PMCID: PMC3364284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that major depressive disorder (MDD) is usually accompanied by altered white matter in the prefrontal cortex, the parietal lobe and the limbic system. As a behavioral abnormity of MDD, rumination has been believed to be a substantial indicator of the mental state of the depressive state. So far, however, no report that we are aware of has evaluated the relationship between white matter alterations and the ruminative state. In this study, we first explored the altered white matter using a tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method based on diffusion tensor imaging of 19 healthy and 16 depressive subjects. We then investigated correlations between the altered white matter microstructure in the identified altered regions and the severity of ruminations measured by the ruminative response scale. Our results demonstrated altered white matter microstructure in circuits connecting the prefrontal lobe, the parietal lobe and the limbic system (p<0.005, uncorrected), findings which support previous research. More importantly, the result also indicated that a greater alteration in the white matter is associated with a more ruminative state (p<0.05, Bonferroni corrected). The detected abnormalities in the white matter should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size in this study. This finding supports the psychometric significance of white matter deficits in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nianming Zuo
- LIAMA Center for Computational Medicine, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiliang Fang
- Laboratory for Functional Brain Imaging, Department of Radiology, Guang-an-men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyu Lv
- Department of Psychology, Guang-an-men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Hong
- Laboratory for Functional Brain Imaging, Department of Radiology, Guang-an-men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Psychology, Guang-an-men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haibing Tong
- Laboratory for Functional Brain Imaging, Department of Radiology, Guang-an-men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Laboratory for Functional Brain Imaging, Department of Radiology, Guang-an-men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weidong Wang
- Department of Psychology, Guang-an-men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (TZJ); (WDW)
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- LIAMA Center for Computational Medicine, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail: (TZJ); (WDW)
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Bech P, Christensen EM, Vinberg M, Bech-Andersen G, Kessing LV. Psychometric validation and clinical validity of the Minor Melancholia Mood Checklist (MMCL-32). J Affect Disord 2012; 137:79-86. [PMID: 22244379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2011.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Revised: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Minor Melancholia Mood Checklist (MMCL-32) was developed to identify sub-threshold states of major depression. The MMCL-32 can be considered as the counterpole to the Hypomanic Check List (HCL-32). METHODS Principal component analysis (PCA) without rotation was used to identify a bidirectorial principal component. To evaluate the clinical validity of the bidirectorial factors, with reference to brief recurrent depression, the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale was used. RESULTS We included 59 patients with bipolar I disorder (SCID criteria) and 57 patients with unipolar depression (more than one major depressive episode without hypomanic or manic episodes). They were all outpatients, but had recently been discharged from inpatient treatment. The PCA identified two contrasting factors: 17 items with negative loadings (psychasthenic depression factor) and 15 items with positive loadings (cognitive depression factor). When PCA was applied exclusively to the bipolar patients, 5 items within the cognitive factor were identified. When applied exclusively to the unipolar patients, 5 items within the psychasthenic factor were identified. The non-remitted bipolar patients scored higher on the cognitive factor (P=0.01) than the remitted. On the psychasthenic factor (P=0.06), the non-remitted unipolar patients scored higher than the remitted patients. CONCLUSION The MMCL-32 was found psychometrically valid in measuring sub-threshold states of major depression with rather specific factors for bipolar and unipolar depression. Focusing on these factors could be a clinical aid to distinguish patients at risk of developing a bipolar course.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bech
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University, Hillerød, Denmark.
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Di Giannantonio M, Martinotti G. Anhedonia and major depression: the role of agomelatine. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2012; 22 Suppl 3:S505-10. [PMID: 22959116 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Anhedonia is a condition in which the capacity to experience pleasure is totally or partially lost. Although anhedonia is a feature of major depressive disorder according to DSM IV criteria for major depression diagnosis, so far it has received relatively little attention. The scale that is most commonly used in the measurement of anhedonia is the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), a brief 14-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure hedonic tone and its absence. Two studies have described the efficacy of agomelatine in the treatment of anhedonia: an open-label study and a comparative trial versus the antidepressant venlafaxine XR. In both studies agomelatine significantly reduced anhedonia, as indicated using the SHAPS. This reduction was observed after the first week of treatment (P<0.05) and at different times until the end of the trial. Moreover, in the comparative trial, a significant difference between groups was observed in favor of agomelatine, after 1 (P<0.05), 2 (P<0.01), and 8 weeks (P<0.01). The possible effect of agomelatine on anhedonia may represent a novel area of interest among antidepressant agents and deserves further investigation, with larger samples and double-blind placebo-controlled designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Di Giannantonio
- Department of Neuroscience and imaging c/o Mental Health Department, Viale Amendola, 47, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
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Martinotti G, Hatzigiakoumis DS, Vita OD, Clerici M, Petruccelli F, Giannantonio MD, Janiri L. Anhedonia and Reward System: Psychobiology, Evaluation, and Clinical Features. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.4236/ijcm.2012.37125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Gruber J. A Review and Synthesis of Positive Emotion and Reward Disturbance in Bipolar Disorder. Clin Psychol Psychother 2011; 18:356-65. [DOI: 10.1002/cpp.776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- June Gruber
- Psychology Department; Yale University; New Haven; CT; USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cognitive vulnerability-stress theories have recently been extended to bipolar disorder by suggesting that an activation of negative cognition might lead to depressive mood episodes and an activation of positive cognition might lead to manic mood episodes. Alternatively, the manic defense hypothesis claims that hypomanic and manic states are not the opposite of depression but rather contain similar underlying negative cognitions. The objective of this study was to further evaluate these theories by examining the cognitive patterns in bipolar I hypomania. METHODS We compared 15 hypomanic bipolar I disorder patients, 26 remitted bipolar I disorder patients, and 21 healthy individuals in a cross-sectional study. All participants completed the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, the Attributional Style Questionnaire, the Emotional Stroop Task, and the Emotional Auditory Verbal Learning Test. RESULTS Hypomanic bipolar disorder individuals showed cognitions associated with depressive states as well as cognitions associated with manic states. The results for the remitted bipolar disorder patients paralleled those for the control group. CONCLUSION Dysfunctional cognition in bipolar disorder seems to relate to state rather than to trait. Hypomania includes depression-related as well as mania-related cognitions and can therefore not be considered as the mere opposite of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Lex
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Acetyl-l-Carnitine in the treatment of anhedonia, melancholic and negative symptoms in alcohol dependent subjects. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2011; 35:953-8. [PMID: 21256179 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2010] [Revised: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of Acetyl-l-Carnitine (ALC), at different dosages, on specific anhedonic symptoms in detoxified alcohol dependent subjects. Secondary endpoints were the effect of ALC on melancholic and negative symptoms. METHOD Sixty-four anhedonic alcohol dependent patients with minor or absent withdrawal symptoms were randomized: 23 received ALC at a dosage of 3g/day, 21 received ALC at a dosage of 1g/day, and 20 were given placebo. ALC was given intravenously for 10days, followed by 80days of oral treatment plus a follow-up period of 45days. The presence of anhedonic symptoms was determined by the SHAPS (Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale) and the VASa (Visual Analogue Scale for Anhedonia); negative and melancholic symptoms were evaluated by the SANS (Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms), and the BRMS (Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale). RESULTS The natural course of anhedonia in the placebo group showed a decline until day 30 and remains stable for the rest of the study. Intravenously ALC accelerated the improvement of anhedonia reaching constant low levels early, on day 10. At this step levels of anhedonia (SHAPS, VASa) and melancholic symptoms (BRMES) resulted significantly reduced (p<0.05) in both the ALC 3g and ALC 1g groups with respect to placebo; SANS scores significantly reduced only in the ALC 1g respect to placebo (p=0.014). During oral treatment with ALC, anhedonia scores did not differ from placebo. CONCLUSION Intravenously ALC was effective in accelerating the abstinence-associated improvement of anhedonia, melancholic and negative symptoms, whereas oral ALC treatment starting on day 10 showed no further improvements. Accordingly, in alcohol dependent subjects, ALC may be considered as a new potentially useful drug for the treatment of anhedonia.
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Bent-Hansen J, Bech P. Validity of the definite and semidefinite questionnaire version of the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Hamilton Subscale and the Melancholia Scale. Part I. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2011; 261:37-46. [PMID: 20195869 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-010-0106-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2009] [Accepted: 02/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Instruments for self-rating in depression are available, but their psychometric properties have not been fully explored; discrepancies with clinician ratings have been identified. This study was longitudinal with 85 patients fulfilling the DSM-III-R diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Self-reporting versions (definitely and semidefinitely anchored) corresponding to the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Hamilton Subscale (HAM₆), and the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale (MES) were compared to each other and the clinician-rated version. The unidimensional property of the sum score in each scale was tested by the item-response theory model ad modum Rasch. The scales were also tested for their sensitivity to discriminate between placebo and citalopram therapy. The sum scores and the sum score variances of the definite self-rating versions did not differ significantly from the sum scores of the corresponding observer scales at any of the five time points. The semidefinite scales significantly over-scored at all time points. The convergent validity between corresponding definite self-ratings and observer ratings was very high with correlations exceeding 0.90. Only item responses from the MES, the HAM₆, and their corresponding definite versions of the self-rating questionnaires DMQ and DHAM₆ were accepted by the Rasch analysis, and only these four valid scales discriminated significantly between the effect of citalopram and placebo treatment. Our results are limited to patients with moderate depression. Two new self-report scales with unparalleled construct validity, reliability, sensitivity, and convergent validity have been identified (DMQ and DHAM₆). We have also identified a crucial importance of format for the means and variances of self-rating scales. These findings are of high practical and scientific value.
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Hatzigiakoumis DS, Martinotti G, Giannantonio MD, Janiri L. Anhedonia and substance dependence: clinical correlates and treatment options. Front Psychiatry 2011; 2:10. [PMID: 21556280 PMCID: PMC3089992 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2011.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2010] [Accepted: 02/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Anhedonia is a condition in which the capacity of experiencing pleasure is totally or partially lost, and it refers to both a state symptom in various psychiatric disorders and a personality trait. It has a putative neural substrate, originating in the dopaminergic mesolimbic and mesocortical reward circuit. Anhedonia frequently occurs in mood disorders, as a negative symptom in schizophrenia, and in substance use disorders. In particular, we focus our attention on the relationships occurring between anhedonia and substance use disorders, as highlighted by many studies. Several authors suggested that anhedonia is an important factor involved in relapse as well as in the transition from recreational use to excessive drug intake. In particular, anhedonia has been found to be a frequent feature in alcoholics and addicted patients during acute and chronic withdrawal as well as in cocaine, stimulant, and cannabis abusers. Furthermore, in subjects with a substance dependence disorder, there is a significant correlation between anhedonia, craving, intensity of withdrawal symptoms, and psychosocial and personality characteristics. Therefore treating anhedonia in detoxified alcohol-dependent subjects could be critical in terms of relapse prevention strategies, given its strong relationship with craving.
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The Pharmacopsychometric Triangle to Illustrate the Effectiveness of T-PEMF Concomitant with Antidepressants in Treatment Resistant Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Sham-Controlled Trial Revisited with Focus on the Patient-Reported Outcomes. DEPRESSION RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2011; 2011:806298. [PMID: 21738869 PMCID: PMC3123910 DOI: 10.1155/2011/806298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background. Our T-PEMF trial has been revisited with focus on the pharmacopsychometric triangle in which effect size is used when comparing wanted versus unwanted clinical effects and quality of life as outcomes. In this analysis, we have especially focused on the self-reported HAM-D(6). Methods. The antidepressive medication which the patients were resistant to was kept unchanged during the five weeks of active versus sham T-PEMF. Results. In total 21, patients received active T-PEMF, and 19 patients received sham T-PEMF. The effect size was 1.02 and 0.90, respectively, on HAM-D(6) and HAM-D(6)-S. Concerning side effects, the active T-PEMF reduced the baseline score on concentration problems with an effect size of 0.44 while inducing more autonomic symptoms than sham T-PEMF with an effect size of -0.41. The advantage of active over sham T-PEMF obtained an effect size of 0.48. Conclusion. Active T-PEMF was found superior to sham T-PEMF within the pharmacopsychometric triangle with a clinically significant effect size level above 0.40.
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Dalby RB, Frandsen J, Chakravarty MM, Ahdidan J, Sørensen L, Rosenberg R, Videbech P, Ostergaard L. Depression severity is correlated to the integrity of white matter fiber tracts in late-onset major depression. Psychiatry Res 2010; 184:38-48. [PMID: 20832255 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2010] [Revised: 05/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) are believed to play an important role in a subset of major depression (MD). We aimed to describe the impact of WMLs on white matter pathways in MD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetization transfer imaging. As a novel approach, we used DTI tractography to assess pathways intersected by WMLs. We examined 22 patients with late-onset MD and 22 age- and gender-matched controls. Parametric maps of fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) were obtained to describe tissue integrity. The association between depression severity and the tract-specific localization of WMLs was analyzed on a voxel-by-voxel basis. We showed a significant positive association between depression severity and fiber tracts intersected by WMLs in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus and the right uncinate fasciculus. In both groups, WMLs had significantly lower FA and MTR, and higher ADC than both the tracts they intersected and the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). In turn, the tracts intersected by WMLs had significantly lower FA and higher ADC than the NAWM. In conclusion, depression severity correlates with the tract-specific localization of WMLs. WMLs have a pronounced effect on white matter integrity in the pathways they intersect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Beese Dalby
- Centre for Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Risskov, Denmark.
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Dalby RB, Chakravarty MM, Ahdidan J, Sørensen L, Frandsen J, Jonsdottir KY, Tehrani E, Rosenberg R, Ostergaard L, Videbech P. Localization of white-matter lesions and effect of vascular risk factors in late-onset major depression. Psychol Med 2010; 40:1389-1399. [PMID: 19895719 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291709991656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest that patients with late-onset major depression (MD) have an increased load of cerebral white-matter lesions (WMLs) compared with age-matched controls. Vascular risk factors such as hypertension and smoking may confound such findings. Our aim was to investigate the association between the localization and load of WMLs in late-onset MD with respect to vascular risk factors. METHOD We examined 22 consecutive patients with late-onset first-episode MD and 22 age- and gender-matched controls using whole-brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The localization, number and volume of WMLs were compared between patients and controls, while testing the effect of vascular risk factors. RESULTS Among subjects with one or more WMLs, patients displayed a significantly higher WML density in two white-matter tracts: the left superior longitudinal fasciculus and the right frontal projections of the corpus callosum. These tracts are part of circuitries essential for cognitive and emotional functions. Analyses revealed no significant difference in the total number and volume of WMLs between groups. Patients and controls showed no difference in vascular risk factors, except for smoking. Lesion load was highly correlated with smoking. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that lesion localization rather than lesion load differs between patients with late-onset MD and controls. Increased lesion density in regions associated with cognitive and emotional functions may be crucial in late-onset MD, and vascular risk factors such as smoking may play an important role in the pathophysiology of late-onset MD, consistent with the vascular depression hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Dalby
- Center for Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark.
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Licht RW, Nielsen JN, Gram LF, Vestergaard P, Bendz H. Lamotrigine versus lithium as maintenance treatment in bipolar I disorder: an open, randomized effectiveness study mimicking clinical practice. The 6th trial of the Danish University Antidepressant Group (DUAG-6). Bipolar Disord 2010; 12:483-93. [PMID: 20712749 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2010.00836.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In industry-generated pivotal studies, lamotrigine has been found to be superior to placebo and comparable to lithium in the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder. Here, we directly compared lamotrigine to lithium under conditions similar to clinical routine conditions. METHODS Adult bipolar I disorder patients with at least two episodes within the last five years and an index episode requiring treatment were randomized to lithium (n = 78; doses adjusted to obtain serum levels of 0.5-1.0 mmol/L) or to lamotrigine (n = 77; up-titrated to 400 mg/day) as maintenance treatments. Randomization took place when clinically appropriate, and comedication was allowed within the first six months after randomization. The patients were enrolled from March 2001 to December 2005, and observations were censored December 2006, allowing a subgroup of patients to be followed for more than five years. The primary outcome measure was time to predefined endpoints indicating insufficient maintenance treatment, and the major secondary outcome measure was time to any study endpoint. Data were analyzed primarily by Cox proportional regression models. RESULTS For the primary outcome measure, the crude Hazard Rate Ratio (HRR) (lamotrigine relative to lithium) was 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60-1.40]. When the primary endpoints were broken down by polarity, the HRRs (lamotrigine relative to lithium) for mania and depression were, respectively, 1.91 (95% CI: 0.73-5.04) and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.41-1.22). There was no between-group difference in terms of staying in study [HRR: 0.85 (95% CI: 0.61-1.19)]. Most treatment failures occurred within the first 1.5 years of treatment, and, among patients followed for at least five years, practically no patients were maintained successfully on monotherapy with either of the drugs. The lithium-treated patients reported diarrhea, tremor, polyuria, and thirst more frequently. Two cases, probably lamotrigine-related, of benign rash occurred. CONCLUSIONS No differences in maintenance effectiveness between lithium and lamotrigine could be demonstrated. Lamotrigine was better tolerated than lithium, but apparently this did not influence the outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus W Licht
- Mood Disorders Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Risskov, Denmark.
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Martiny K, Lunde M, Bech P. Transcranial low voltage pulsed electromagnetic fields in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Biol Psychiatry 2010; 68:163-9. [PMID: 20385376 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2009] [Revised: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 30% of patients with depression are resistant to antidepressant drugs. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been found effective in combination with antidepressants in this patient group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant effect of a new principle using low-intensity transcranially applied pulsed electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) in combination with antidepressants in patients with treatment-resistant depression. METHODS This was a sham-controlled double-blind study comparing 5 weeks of active or sham T-PEMF in patients with treatment-resistant major depression. The antidepressant treatment, to which patients had been resistant, was unchanged 4 weeks before and during the study period. Weekly assessments were performed using both clinician-rated and patient-rated scales. The T-PEMF equipment was designed as a helmet containing seven separate coils located over the skull that generated an electrical field in tissue with orders of magnitude weaker than those generated by rTMS equipment. RESULTS Patients on active T-PEMF showed a clinically and statistically significant better outcome than patients treated with sham T-PEMF, with an onset of action within the first weeks of therapy. Effect size on the Hamilton 17-item Depression Rating Scale was .62 (95% confidence interval .21-1.02). Treatment-emergent side effects were few and mild. CONCLUSION The T-PEMF treatment was superior to sham treatment in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Few side effects were observed. Mechanism of the antidepressant action, in light of the known effects of PEMF stimulation to the brain, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Martiny
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Center North Zealand, Hillerød, Denmark.
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Grunze H, Vieta E, Goodwin GM, Bowden C, Licht RW, Möller HJ, Kasper S. The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for the Biological Treatment of Bipolar Disorders: Update 2010 on the treatment of acute bipolar depression. World J Biol Psychiatry 2010; 11:81-109. [PMID: 20148751 DOI: 10.3109/15622970903555881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES These guidelines are based on a first edition that was published in 2002, and have been edited and updated with the available scientific evidence until September 2009. Their purpose is to supply a systematic overview of all scientific evidence pertaining to the treatment of acute bipolar depression in adults. METHODS The data used for these guidelines have been extracted from a MEDLINE and EMBASE search, from the clinical trial database clinicaltrials.gov, from recent proceedings of key conferences, and from various national and international treatment guidelines. Their scientific rigor was categorised into six levels of evidence (A-F). As these guidelines are intended for clinical use, the scientific evidence was finally assigned different grades of recommendation to ensure practicability. RESULTS We identified 10 pharmacological monotherapies or combination treatments with at least limited positive evidence for efficacy in bipolar depression, several of them still experimental and backed up only by a single study. Only one medication was considered to be sufficiently studied to merit full positive evidence. CONCLUSIONS Although major advances have been made since the first edition of this guideline in 2002, there are many areas which still need more intense research to optimize treatment. The majority of treatment recommendations is still based on limited data and leaves considerable areas of uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz Grunze
- Newcastle University, RVI, Division of Psychiatry, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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